One of nine children, Viola B. Kramer was born on March 10, 1923, to Phillip and Rosie (Beck) Brockel on the family farm east of Mound City. After her schooling, she worked at a grocery store in Mound City.

On July 29, 1945, she married Rudy Kramer at the Baptist Church in Herreid. Rudy was still in the army, so Viola traveled throughout the United States with him as he was transferred on many occasions.

Vi and Rudy had three daughters; Bonnie, Connie, and Patricia (Patty). She had a very adventurous spirit and greatly enjoyed helping her three daughters participate in rodeos. Vi loved to “Hit The Road,” pulling the horse trailer.
In 1972, Vi opened her home to a foreign exchange student from Chile, Patricio Scotti-Fuentes, who loved to spend time in the kitchen with the woman he fondly called “mom.”

She was also very creative and loved doing projects around the home. This eventually led to her own painting and wall-papering business.

This sense of adventure carried through the years as she loved to be involved in all her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities.

Vi was a long-time member of the Women of the Moose, American Legion Auxiliary, and the United Congregational Church in Mobridge.

Vi is survived by her husband of 66 years Rudy Kramer of Mobridge; three daughters, Bonnie (Dale) Vlasman of Pukwana, Connie (Mike) Brewer of Phoenix, Ariz., and Patty (Mike) Powers of Bosque Farms, N.M.; six grandchildren, Travis (Melanie) Vlasman of Yankton, Vanessa (Marshal) Munger of Pukwana, Matt (Maria) Brewer of Wichita, Kan., Cheyenne (Josh Center) Stradinger of Alexandria, Va., Paige Powers of Denver, Colo., and Casey Powers of Bosque Farms; six great-grandchildren, Connor and Tia Vlasman of Yankton, Dawson and Dakota Munger of Pukwana, and Myles and Mia Brewer of Wichita; sisters, Irene Herman of Wishek, N.D., Christine Moser of Selby, Lorraine Fischer of Redfield, and Janice Bechtold of Herreid; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Phillip and Rose Brockel, sister Helen, brothers Jake, Ted, and George, and two brothers who died at birth.

Viola often remarked how much she loved her “close-knit” family. Vi’s spirit will continue to be a part of that family.
Casket bearers were Dale Vlasman, Travis Vlasman, Mike Brewer, Mike Powers, Casey Powers and Marshal Munger.